Living With Guns Discussion on Tap at the Mark Twain

Craig Whitney. Photo: Heidi Whitney

The Mark Twain House & Museum will present a free public discussion with former New York Times foreign correspondent and editor Craig Whitney on the subject of his book "Living with Guns: A Liberal's Case for the 2nd Amendment" 7 pm Thursday, Feb. 28.

The discussion will be moderated by Bob Margolis, COO of Farmington-based TANGO, The Alliance for Non-Profit Growth and Opportunity, which helps non-profits save money on professional service firms. Margolis, a conservative, is a pistol permit instructor and a member of the Metacon Gun Club in Simsbury.

The intent is civil discourse on a very timely and important subject, in the spirit of Mark Twain's endless curiosity and deep concern about the ills of society and humanity. The hour-long program will be followed by a booksigning.

Whitney spent his entire professional career as a reporter, foreign correspondent, and editor at The New York Times, where he was assistant managing editor in charge of standards and ethics when he retired in 2009.

Also coming up at the House and Museum:
On Wednesday, March 13, "The Trouble Begins at 5:30," the monthly series of free, after-work lectures at The Mark Twain House & Museum, will feature Heinrich Barth's story of his African voyage as told by Steve Kemper, the journalist, science writer and author of "A Labyrinth of Kingdoms: 10,000 Miles Through Islamic Africa".

The evening starts in the Museum Center at 5 with a reception featuring wine, coffee and hors d'oeuvres, then moves to the auditorium at 5:30 for the lecture. A booksigning will follow the event. 
Then, professional storyteller (for adults) Tom Lee, who believes that stories are the creative inheritance of all Irish-Americans and of all the world, will perform a selection of Irish stories and legends -- "Celtic Echoes: Myths & Stories from Ancient Ireland" -- on Saint Patrick's Day,  2 pm Sunday, March 17. Admission is $15. This program is not suitable for children. For reservations, please call 860-280-3130.